Why Snehal from India Chose to Study a Bachelor of Nursing at ACU Brisbane

Moving to another country to study can feel overwhelming, especially when you are leaving family, friends and everything familiar behind. For Snehal from India, choosing to study a Bachelor of Nursing at Australian Catholic University in Brisbane came down to finding a university with a strong reputation and a welcoming environment.

After researching universities in Australia, Snehal discovered that ACU stood out for nursing.

“I did search for top university in Australia for best for bachelors of nursing. So yeah I found it pretty good because I guess it’s ranked in the top 3 or 2 tiers.”

Now studying in Brisbane, Snehal says the experience has already surprised him in many positive ways.

What It’s Like Studying Nursing at ACU Brisbane

Main entrance to the ACU Brisbane campus.

Snehal studies a Bachelor of Nursing at ACU’s Brisbane campus, which immediately left an impression on him when he first arrived. One thing he found especially memorable was the campus itself and its unique location.

“The one thing I found quite fascinating is it’s on top of a hill, like a hilly region. So you have to hike to get to your classes and buildings.”

While the uphill walks may sound challenging at first, Snehal jokes that it has its advantages too.

“That’s good. You get early morning workouts if your classes are early.”

For students considering nursing in Australia, Snehal believes ACU offers a strong learning environment and a campus that feels lively and well organised.

Student Life in Brisbane for International Students

View across the river of Story Bridge, Brisbane.

For many international students, one of the biggest concerns before moving abroad is adapting to a new city. Snehal says Brisbane quickly made a positive impression on him.

“I did love the Brisbane City. It gave me the vibes of New York.”

He also noticed how vibrant and populated the city felt, which helped him settle in more comfortably as an international student. Beyond the city itself, Snehal enjoyed discovering Australia’s wildlife and nature.

Although many students worry about dangerous animals before moving to Australia, Snehal says his experience has been far less dramatic than people online often imagine.

“Yes, I did [see a spider] at my cousin’s house, but it was pretty small.”

Instead of constantly spotting spiders, he says he noticed something else much more often.

“I saw a lot of birds, various type of birds.”

How Easy Is It to Make Friends at ACU?

Making friends is another common concern for students moving overseas. According to Snehal, ACU made the process easier from the beginning thanks to orientation activities and icebreaker events.

During one of the activities, students had to build structures using marshmallows and spaghetti sticks. The challenge quickly helped everyone start talking and working together.

“It was a pretty fun way to talk to people, make friends.”

Snehal says those kinds of events helped him feel more comfortable meeting people during his first days in Australia. For international students arriving alone, those early social experiences can make a huge difference in building confidence and feeling part of the university community.

Is ACU Brisbane Good for International Students?

When asked what advice he would give future students considering ACU, Snehal was positive about his experience so far.

Although he is still early in his studies, he says he already appreciates the campus atmosphere and environment. He also encourages future students not to overthink fears about moving to Australia.

“They should not be scared of spiders.”

For Snehal, studying nursing at ACU Brisbane has already become an exciting new chapter filled with new friendships, new experiences and opportunities to grow both personally and professionally.